Teaching

BIOL 759/859 Foundations and Principles in Ecology (Spring 2013 - every Spring Semester)

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. A survey of the seminal ideas and perspectives in historical and contemporary ecology. The course is designed to provide a broad overview of the important theoretical and conceptual paradigms in ecology. Class Website

BIOL 708/808 Statistical Misuse in Modern Ecology (Fall 2013)

Lecture 1 hour; 1 credit. This seminar class will examine various misuses of statistical concepts that modern ecologists continue to make. It will prepare graduate students to recognize when outdated (and typically flawed) statistical approaches should be avoided. Come learn why you should not use Bonferroni corrections,  why stepwise regression is inappropriate, or why non-overlapping error bars do not necessarily indicate statistical significance. The seminar will consist of student-led discussion, based on a list of topics provided by the instructor.

BIOL 405 Senior Seminar (Fall 2011, Spring 2012)

3 hours lecture, 3 credits. Prerequisites: BIOL 291, 292, 293, and 303 and at least one 300- or 400-level elective. This course offers a capstone experience in scientific writing, faculty-mentored library research, the review and synthesis of material from the primary technical literature, and oral presentation. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the purposes and types of scientific writing, the structure and interpretation of technical papers, and the oral and written communication skills appropriate to the discipline.

BIOL 422 / 522 Field Studies in Ornithology (Fall 2012 - every even year Fall semester)

Lecture 2 hours; laboratory 4 hours; 4 credits. Prerequisites: BIOL 291 (Ecology), 292 (Evolution) or permission of the instructor. A combined lecture and field study of birds with emphasis on identification, behavior, and field methods. Extensive field trips, including at least one weekend, are taken.

The class will meet every Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesdays will be our field day. Field trips will depart ODU at 0600 hrs and return by 1100 hrs. If Tuesday is canceled because of weather, we will reconvene on Thursday at 0600 hrs. If you are not a morning person, please don't sign up for this course. You will be out in the field each week where you will encounter inclement weather, biting insects, ticks, and you are likely to get dirty. If you are a fair weather biologist, this course is not for you.

You are also expected to participate in at least one overnight weekend field trip. Date to be announced.

In preparation for the class, please make sure you have a bird field guide and a pair of binoculars. Compact binoculars are not too useful. Good hiking boots or rubber boots would also be an asset when we travel to muddy and wet areas.

BIOL 445/545 Community Ecology (Fall 2013 - every odd year Fall semester)

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 291 or equivalent. The goal of this course is to introduce and evaluate both classical and emerging paradigms in community ecology. This will be achieved by examining those processes (biotic and abiotic) that structure ecological communities, and by exposing students to quantitative and theoretical aspects of these paradigms.

BIOL 708/808 Ecological Sciences Seminar: Oak Woodland Ecology (Fall 2012)

Lecture 1 hour; 1 credit. This seminar class will examine various ecological concepts associated with oak woodlands of California and Virginia. The seminar will consist of student-led discussion of the primary literature. Class Schedule